Bollywood bonanza coming to Oriental Art Center

Poster for "Love In Bollywood"

An extravaganza of Bollywood singing and dancing is coming to Shanghai.

Indiana Entertainments, a dance troupe from Mumbai, India, will bring its acclaimed "Love in Bollywood" performance to the Shanghai Oriental Art Center Saturday evening. The 11-member group has already performed shows in India, Canada, the US, the UK, Oman, the Netherlands, Russia, Indonesia and Thailand.

The colorful and joyous show will take the viewer on a journey across India through several of the country's most well-known films, from the landmark 1951 classic Awara to the Oscar-winning Slumdog Millionaire and last year's hit Chennai Express.

Most Bollywood films could be described as musicals, with song-and-dance numbers woven into the plot. The performances are known to blend Indian dance elements with Western moves. Leading actors and actresses often dance with a troupe of supporting dancers.

Choreographer Parminder Kaur, who has worked with many celebrities as well as budding dancers, directs the show.

Two of the show's dancing acts will pay special tribute to the films of the Kapoors, a prominent Indian family with a lengthy history in Hindi cinema, and the actor Shahrukh Khan, whom many regard as the most famous leading actor in India today.

Mujra Dance, which is often depicted in Bollywood movies about India's Mughal era, will also be featured. Mujra is a style of dance which was traditionally performed by courtesans in special houses called Kothas.

The show will also feature a medley of songs by singer Tarranum Malik, who was nominated for the Indian Stardust awards in 2010. Malik has been the voice behind numerous songs in movies like Fukrey, Delhi Belly and Not a Love Story.

The show is organized by the Consulate General of India in Shanghai in association with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations.